Huxian: Pray, my dear, is a fleeting thing, only giving enjoyment for a brief time while it is played with, only contenting until it is digested and one becomes hungry once more. Whether lamb, a wolf in sheep’s clothing or a goddess in disguise, what I want with the Lady of the tower isn’t something so fleeting. After all, I don’t wish for a toy, but he one who will stand beside me for all time. If that means that the ‘casanova’ is tamed, then I believe that is a fate I will never regret accepting, because even a thousand conquests would never make a single perfect rose.
*The girl blushed a little, burying her face in his chest, but even then, he could feel her smile. Changing their positions, he lay her on the sofa before resting his head in her chest. For a little while that's where they lay peacefully. Eventually, a few servants were called to bring snacks and a change of clothes for the two, but they left shortly after they had carried out their orders.*
Rodessa: Hue?
Huxian: Mm?
Rodessa: When I’m done with the clan…. Can we get married after? I don't want to waste time with it any more than we have to.
Huxian: Even if we weren’t done with them, the vow will soon be fulfilled. Believe me, the moment it is, an apocalypse would need to happen to stop us.
Rodessa: *Flirty Eyes* Hue…that's not what I - Mn!!
*Huxian’s lips curled up slightly from where he nibbled on her ear, the sharp pain making her shiver slightly, though Huxian had a distinct feeling that it wasn’t out of agony. It was so easy to tease her by derailing her thoughts. Holding back a snicker, he nuzzled her cheek, his voice breathy, making her shiver more*
Huxian: Oh? Then what did you mean, love?
Rodessa: H-Hue!!!
Huxian: *Devilish Grin* What? Spit it out, Roza. As powerful as I am, I’m not telepathic. How could I possibly know if you don’t tell me?
Rodessa: *Gasp* Y-you’re being mean again…
*Forcing the grin threatening to stretch over his face into something a little more neutral, he pulled away from her cheek and neck to tare into her eyes for a long moment. However, before she could try to speak once more, his tongue flicked out over her lips, causing her to bodilly jerk, a flush rushing over her cheeks. Unable to stop himself, the laugh broke from his lips and he buried his head into her shoulder, nestling closer, a helpless smile cracking his expression. He just couldn’t not smile at such cute reactions.*
Rodessa: *Labored Breath* H-Hue...You jerk!!!
Huxian: *Devilish Grin, Sing Songy Voice* Blame it on the rut, my love~.
Rodessa: Boy, that had nothing to do with the rut! You’re just being mean! Don't lie to me! I swear to the GODS I’ll-!!!
*As she ranted, he moved from her neck again, interrupting her with a gentle brush of lips against hers, cutting off the tirade before it could truly begin. That was enough teasing for now. As such, he pulled back a little, brushing her locks from her face so he could fully see her expression, tucking the strands behind her ear.
Huxian: I’m sorry. I’ll behave. Please, go on.
Rodessa: *Pout*.....
*He almost shook his head, but force of will kept him in place as he trailed his had from her ear, to her shoulder and gently down her arm so he could cover her hand with his. It was kind of funny to him that she hadn’t quite equated his actions to the fact that she had regained her true age’s form once again. Still, he wasn’t going to mention it to her just yet. The look on her face when she found out would be hilarious.
Still, just because he wasn’t about to say anything didn’t mean that he would act like she still had a pre-teen body. As such, one hand staying over hers, his other one reached up to her face, running fingers over her jaw, thumb brushing against her soft pouting lips. His eyes, half lidded, ran over her form appreciatively, but he made no move to push her down or to blatantly distract her any longer. Instead he just quirked his lips before moving to pour out more wine from the bottle and offering the class to her. He would be willing to tilt the glass for her to drink from, but he had a feeling she might be too flustered for that.*
Huxian: Beloved...I’d like to hear your thoughts. I never wish to misunderstand you. Please, tell me?
*Rodessa looked as though she might just combust from the gentle purr to his voice, or the touch, or the offered glass. Instead, she hurriedly took the glass from him, swigging the ‘liquid courage’, pushing him back with her free hand, nervous. He made it so hard to think sometimes! With the extra room, however, she could get her brain back into working order. And faced with those attentive eyes, she couldn’t find it in her to deny his request once more. Finally, she nodded and set the glass down, leaning forwards*
Rodessa: *Earnestly* Hue...There are many reasons as to why I would like to be married as soon as possible. Appart from never wishing to be forced away from you like before, I’ve realised in my interactions with them that the Elders of the Ashu-Wahari become less argumentative, far more willing to acquiesce to their leader when a new heir is born. As such, not only would it be a symbol of our love, but it would also be a hope for a new generation. Of course, I have no intention of following through with the types of plans that my father made for me. I would always wish for my children to choose their own fates in regards to those they wish to spend their lives with, that they will decide with love, not for political reasons that would doom them to unhappiness. Regardless, the fact that said child would exist…
*Rodessa trailed off. It was easy to understand what she meant without her needing to finish the sentence*
Huxian [Inner Thoughts]: This girl...she never ceases to amaze me. There are times that she’s faced with such difficulty, then seemingly out of the blue she comes up with strategies that could fix the mistakes left by her father while still holding onto the beliefs she had to begin with. Is it any wonder that I found myself falling for you, even when I thought my heart shattered beyond repair?
Rodessa: But… You know, above all that...being bound to you... Above all, I… just want to make a family with you, be with you, Huxian Yin.
*The warmest look in her eyes, the determination on her face, even as her free hand nervously toyed with the hem of her robe, it felt as if he was staring into something so precious, so pure that he could feel the heat raise in his own cheeks. The ball of feelings, so many feelings that rose in his chest, near choking him…if he held her gaze longer, he felt like his heart might just stop from feeling so many wondrous things at once, or he might suddenly embarrassed himself by bursting into joyous tears. Swallowing dryly, he ducked his head, hair shielding his eyes from such a fate*
Huxian [Inner Thoughts]: Such sincerity….how….can she say that so easily when normally she ends up in a stuttering, blushing mess if I brush against her skin? Does she even know what she does to me?
*The fact he couldn’t force words past the ball of emotion in his throat seemed to catch Rodessa off guard, however, the earnest look on her face falling slightly*
Rodessa: *Worried* ...No?
*Squeezing her hand - he certainly didn’t want her to get the wrong idea! - Huxian pulled her forwards a little before resting his forehead gently against hers, finally meeting her eyes through a curtain of silver gold, a small smile, but one of true feeling bloomed on his lips*
Huxian: My answer hasn’t changed, Roza, love. Even if we have yet to fully convince the elders by the time the vow is complete, I would still marry you then and there.
*His fingers ran over her hand, tracing over the engagement ring on her finger, before threading his fingers through hers*
Huxian: If I was unhappy with the idea, I would never have given you that ring. As it is, I would see that ring on no other finger than yours. I want to stay at your side forever, Rodessa Kariudo, if you will have me.
Rodessa: *Faint pink* H-Hue! I… I’m sorry, I don't know what to say! I’m so happy, I-
*Laughing softly, he raised his free hand to cup her cheek*
Huxian: *Low Voice* Then don’t say a thing.
*With that, he tilted her head, capturing her lips with his.
There was no rush, especially after their declarations. Their kisses were slow, lingering, filled with warm hopes and gentle promises of the future. Eventually, even that wasn’t needed as they sat together, leaning against each other in companionable silence filled with stolen glances and unconscious smiles, neither seeing reason to hide their happiness as they clinked their glasses together and sipped from the wine, sampling the snacks that had appeared on the table at some point. Neither had any idea when they had got there, but considering how focused they had been on each other, especially after their confessions, the snacks were an assortment of things, some Rodessa recognised, some she didn’t and Huxian would softly tell her about them, encouraging her to try a few of his favourites, which sometimes resulted in quiet laughter if she happened to react too enthusiastically or the accompanying story Huxian told about some mischief he had gotten up to to get the snack in the past tickled her humour.
They weren’t certain how much time passed, but eventually, their quiet companionship was broken by a loud yawn and a breath of a laugh*
Huxian: Hm...I think we should probably head to bed now. I hadn’t even realised how much time we spent here.
Rodessa: *Sleepy sigh* Yea… but I don’t wanna get up. It’s comfortable like this.
Huxian: Is that so? I’m sure I can arrange something then.
*Gently wrapping an arm around her to let her snuggle a little closer, he snapped his fingers, summoning a blanket above them, which gently fluttered into place around them to ward of any cold that might somehow linger in the garden at night. Carefully, he tucked it around them and nuzzled his cheek against her hair.
Huxian: Is it even more comfortable now?
Rodessa: *Eyes Growing Heavy* Perfect.
*Smiling, he leaned his head against hers, listening as her breathing began to slow, becoming deeper as she drifted into sleep. She seemed so content, so peaceful….he was glad he didn’t disturb her. Besides, he doubted the Head Desk Man would mind if they slept there for the night. After all, they had been inconvenienced so much on this tip that the hotel would probably be falling over themselves to make up for it. And if there was anyone foolish enough to try anything like that woman had before...well, Huxian knew what to look for now. He would never allow such a thing to happen again.
That in mind, he kissed the top of her head before he, too, closed his eyes, lulled to sleep by the sound of her even breath and the familiar scent filling his nose.
Perhaps it was because of those things that his dreams took the form they did - Rodessa dressed in a white dress, though not one of mourning, but an elegant dress that shimmered in the ethereal light of the dream like a thousand diamonds. Her expression was one of great joy, as if she was the happiest she had been as she pressed herself close, moving as if the two of them were in dance as faceless others watched, extratic at the couple’s shared bliss, even as he himself kissed her tears of joy.
Another scene, beaming up at him as she cradled a small child with her hair and his eyes contently cuddled against her body. He could hear the pitter patter of feat and the gleeful giggling of a child - his child - no, their child, happy and safe, living a life of warmth, where they would never question their love for them.
He had no idea if the dream was a premonition of the future or just all his hopes coming together in a single, blissful dream. All he knew was that this was what he knew both he and Rodessa wanted. It was a future that he prayed would one day be a reality. And if it could never be, he wasn’t entirely sure he would mind if he never woke from the dream at all
Still, wake he did, annoyingly early, the sun not particularly inclined to change its routine for his desire, though, annoying as it was, Huxian could think of worse places to wake - Rodessa snuggled close to him under the blankets, burying her face into his neck to avoid the sunlight.
Not wanting for Rodessa to have as rude awakening as he, he shifted his body slightly, pulling the blanket up a little higher to shield her from the sun a little longer, fighting back a smight shifter as she sighed, pleased, into his neck and settled once again. She was almost on his lap at this point, but she seemed so utterly content that he didn’t mind. With a smile, he rested his head against hers once again.
It was a shame that he couldn’t take a picture of them right now without disturbing her. While the dream might have just been their collective fantasy, this here was real. He wouldn’t mind being able to capture it forever. Oh well...even if he couldn’t photograph it, he could at least store it in the deepest parts of his memory to immortalise it for as long as he lived.*
Huxian: Even so… Whether it’s a premonition or just subconscious hopes...if the dream were to become a reality...Well...maybe one day. Right, Ro?
[END]
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